Eric Johnson (defensive back)

For other people named Eric Johnson, see Eric Johnson (disambiguation).

Eric Duane Johnson^[1] (born April 30, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers

Eric Johnson

Profile
Position	Linebacker
Personal information
Born	(1976-04-30) April 30, 1976 (age 49) Carson, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
College	Nebraska
NFL draft	2000: undrafted
Career history
Oakland Raiders (2000–2003) Atlanta Falcons (2004) Arizona Cardinals (2005) Georgia Force (2007–2008)
Awards and highlights
National champion (1997)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

Johnson played linebacker at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Professional career

NFL

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	31+1⁄4 in (0.79 m)	10 in (0.25 m)	4.48 s	1.50 s	2.59 s	4.17 s	6.96 s	38.0 in (0.97 m)	10 ft 1 in (3.07 m)	12 reps
All values from NFL Combine[2][3]

Johnson played linebacker for eight seasons (2000–2007) for the Oakland Raiders, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Arizona Cardinals, in the National Football League. Johnson is best known for blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVII, which the Raiders lost 48–21 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

AFL

Johnson was signed as a free agent by the Georgia Force on February 19, 2007. He was re-signed by the Force on June 2, 2009.

Human trafficking case

In February 2023, Johnson, along with seven other alleged gang members, were arrested in Gwinnett County, Georgia as part of what the Attorney General of Georgia called a "major human trafficking and gang case;" he pled guilty in August 2025 and was sentenced a month later to 10 years in prison followed by 10 years of strict probation.^[1]